A Look Back to 1994 and 1997: Dallas-Pittsburgh Season Openers as Bookends

Twice during the 1990s, the Cowboys traveled to Pittsburgh to open their season against the Steelers. In both instances, Dallas came away with huge wins. However, whereas the 1994 opener marked a new era with head coach Barry Switzer, the 1997 game four seasons later was one of the last highlights of the Switzer regime.

Switzer, of course, took over for Jimmy Johnson after the Cowboys had defeated the Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII. Most fans, including this one, feared the absolute worst. The game was also the debut for offensive coordinator Ernie Zambese, who had replaced the departed Norv Turner during the off-season.

The Cowboys’ stars came out shining in Switzer’s regular season debut, as Dallas won 26-9. Emmitt Smith rushed for 171 yards and a touchdown, while Michael Irvin added 139 receiving yards. It showed at that point that little would change on the offensive side of the ball, which gave fans a good reason to exhale.

But it was the defensive performance that had fans most excited. Dallas sacked Pittsburgh quarterback Neil O’Donnell nine times (yes, 9 times) and held the Steeler offense to 126 total yards. And this was not a weak Pittsburgh team, as the Steelers finished the regular season 12-4 and nearly beat the Chargers to advance to Super Bowl XXIX.

Switzer’s quote after the game:

“It’s a thrill,” said Switzer. “I savored the moment. I know it’s a long season, but this wouldn’t have been as important for Jimmy (Johnson). I told the players yesterday that Ernie (Zampese, offensive coordinator) and I would be very grateful for a win.”

The teams met again in Tempe, Arizona in Super Bowl XXX. Two seasons later, Dallas once again opened the season at Three Rivers Stadium and came away with a big 37-7 win. Free agent receiver Anthony Miller had a touchdown reception for Dallas, and Irvin and Troy Aikman had huge days. The defense held Kordell Stewart to 104 passing yards and forced two Steeler turnovers.

But the win for the Cowboys was little more than a mirage. Emmitt Smith (69 yards on 26 carries) had trouble running the ball consistently, which was a problem he encountered all season. Miller was disappointing as the second receiver and lasted only one season.

Like the 1994 Steelers, the 1997 Pittsburgh team advanced to the AFC Championship game before losing. The 1997 Cowboys, on the other hand, lost their final five games to finish the season at 6-10. Switzer was gone at season’s end.

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Some key differences between the 1994 team and the 1997 team:

* Though the Cowboys (read: Jerry Jones) touted their receiving corps in 1997 as even more talented than the Super Bowl squads, Anthony Miller was not the playmaker that Alvin Harper was. The 1997 Cowboys also missed tight end Jay Novacek and Kevin Williams, as Eric Bjornson and Stepfret Williams were not solid replacements.
* The offensive line for Dallas featured center Clay Shiver, who was one of the worst starting offensive linemen for Dallas during the 1990s. The 1994 squad had an unknown rookie named Larry Allen, but the starter at right tackle then was Derek Kennard.
* The 1994 defensive line featured Charles Haley, while the 1997 line featured Shante Carver (a very poor man’s version of Haley).
* In 1997, Leon Lett was suspended for most of the season. Dallas brought back defensive tackle Tony Casillas (shown below), who had spent the 1994 and 1995 season with the Jets. The 1997 season was his last.